Around 1,500 activists converged at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City last July 4, a day after Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11479 called the anti-terror bill law. The Movement Against Tyranny and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan spearheaded the protest along with other national democratic organizations.

The rallyists stood in solidarity with other groups who oppose the law, including leaders of the traditional opposition. Protest actions were also mounted in Bacolod City, Cavite, Laguna and Cagayan. Fili­pino migrants also protested in Hong Kong and in front of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., US.

Duterte signed the bill into law despite being broadly criticized by the people.
Relatedly, four petitions were filed before the Supreme Court by progressive lawmakers, lawyers and academics to junk the law. The law is set to take effect on July 19.

Meanwhile, journalists protested on July 3 in Quezon City in support of the call for the ABS-CBN’s renewal of franchise. The rallyists marched to the office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The Congress is set to issue its decision regarding the renewal on July 7.

Earlier, Kilusang Mayo uno led a protest in front of the CHR to mark Duterte’s fourth year in power last June 30. They conducted a die-in protest to symbolize the death of basic rights and jobs under his regime. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas also protested in front the Department of Agriculture in Quezon City to express their rage against the agency’s failure to aid farmers. They also criticized the agency’s corruption, noting the procurement of overpriced fertilizers which it distributed to farmers as aid during the pandemic.